Blessings

We finally found a clue to Tayton's stomach problems yesterday. Back in April, the new pediatrician took bloodwork for a RAST test. They were able to test his blood for sensitivities to all kind of foods- alot of them I chose and then the basics too. They told me it would take a "while" for the results so we waited...and waited...I finally called our ped's Marquette office after waiting a month and was told that it would take even longer. So I waited and then figured everything must have been okay as they said they'd call as soon as they got the results. So yesterday we had Tayton's two year check up. I asked about the results and the dr. didn't have them so he rushed to call his other office and said they would fax the results to him in Escanaba and they'd call. And this time they did. He is allergic to milk!! But not aged cheese- weird, but good I guess. So now we have our work cut out for us to read every label. I'm so relieved that this might be the end of some of his diarrhea problems. The dr. and chiro both said yesterday that they also believe that he is lacking an enzyme that breaks up the skins of fruits and veggies- I wonder if it's the same enzyme that can't digest whey and casein.

So I went and got some essentials last night at the store- like SILK soy milk- they have it flavored with vanilla and Tayton drank it up really well this morning. I guess alot of times, kids with milk allergies can also be allergic to soy so we are praying that's not the case as the alternatives are very few for those allergic to both. I found some great info on the internet yesterday to guide me in watching out for milk in products- different names like casein, and even flavorings like carmel and brown sugar can have milk. After a while, I'm sure it must get easy to identify-but shopping is going to take me forever! I've decided to try an experiement with Tyler as well, he had trouble with formulas when he a baby- I nursed him only part time as I was working- and he's had eczema pretty bad since he was about three. Well, just this summer, his eczema has spread quite a bit especially to his face where it wasn't present at all. So I'm going to have him not eat or drink any milk products for a week and see if his eczema clears. Apparenly, eczema is a big sign of a milk allergy although the other symptoms aren't there- it's worth a shot. Maybe my two boys will be just as good as new:-)

My mom is moving again. She is going to be moving to the West Highland Senior apartments. She qualifies for it at an earlier age due to her knee disability from the hospital. Nathan moved out and so things like mowing the grass and snowblowing would be hard for her. She dropped off her application Monday, praying first that the Lord would show her his will and before she got home, there was a message from the manager of the apartments that she was approved and that they had a place for her right away. Normally the waiting list is apparently up to two years long. So she feels at peace about it. In the event that Nathan moves back home, she'll have to apply for a two bedroom apartment, but he says he won't be moving back. Ah, to be young and so sure of everything...

I have to share a blessing we had this week. I don't normally like to write about financial things on my blog, but I just have to give the Lord the attention he deserves. This whole month, the dealership Paul works at has been really slow- since Paul is paid on flat rate or by the job- no work, no pay. So...we figured out that we were short about $600 in the past month and thus wouldn't have enough for our electric bill, groceries, and our fuel bill for our heat. I prayed on my knees that the Lord would provide some side jobs for Paul so that we could make up for this loss. Do you know that Paul came home that day and said a guy he works with wanted him to work on his truck that night? Then, the next night a stranger to us called, and wanted Paul to put a fuel filter on his Tahoe- he was referred to Paul by an old boyfriend of his sister's and while this a little job, it all helps! Paul made enough to pay for our electric bill, buy some groceries, and we made a payment on our fuel bill. This is not the first time the Lord has done this very thing for us, it's happened many times- sometimes it's been in a different form, but he has provided for our EVERY need. I tend to start looking for a night job or someway I can fix it myself and God always intervenes and shows me that I'm working here and that he'll take care of us. Faith is a big thing to learn, I don't know why I question anything at all! Thank you Lord, please bless everyone that reads this!!